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When DG woke up, she was fully expecting a stern lecture from her Tin Man. What she wasn't expecting was to find the hut empty other than the two of them, with Cain lying behind her on the bed. His arms were wrapped around her, keeping her anchored against him and his breathing was deep and even.

It was a nice feeling, waking up in his arms on a proper bed. DG closed her eyes again and let her body relax completely against his.

She wasn't sure how long they lay like that before she heard his breathing change and felt him start against her. His arm tightened for a moment then relaxed again.

"You back with us, Princess?" His voice was a gruff rumble in her ear and made butterflies take flight in her stomach as a shiver tried to run down her spine.

Oh, yes. She could definitely get used to it.

"Just about," she answered quietly. Her stomach grumbled and she heard as much as felt him chuckle against her. "I'm hungry."

"I heard." He tilted his head, pressing a kiss against the back of her neck before murmuring into her ear, his warm breath against her sensitive skin making her shiver again. "You're just in time to make the evening meal. I hear they're plannin' a feast in your honour."

"Oh, they didn't have to do that." But her stomach rumbled again in appreciation just at the thought of it. "How long before we can eat?"

"Soon as you're ready to go and greet your adoring public." He kissed her neck again, making her squirm.

"That tickles," she protested.

Cain smirked, his lips curving against her skin. "Are you complaining?"

"Not exactly." Deciding payback was fair, she pressed back against him and wiggled, grinning triumphantly at his muffled groan. "But don't go starting something you've got no intention of finishing, Mister."

He nipped her earlobe, then soothed the sting with a kiss. "We'll finish this when I've got a ring on your finger. Till then, I'll take what I can get and give what you can take."

Surprised at the promise in his voice, she turned to face him, propping herself up on an elbow. "You're in a strange mood."

"How so?" He leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose.

DG narrowed her eyes. "You're being playful. Who are you and what have you done with the real Wyatt Cain?"

"I'm right here, Sweetheart." He leaned in to kiss her again, this time aiming for her lips. He kept it sweet and soft, drawing away just as she started to lean into him.

"Tease." DG studied him. "What's changed?"

"Nothing's changed. I've just decided I'm going to marry you, is all." He smirked at the confusion on her face. "One way or another, Princess, you're going to be mine."

She shivered again, this time at the intent in his cool blue eyes. "I'm already yours. Haven't we discussed this already?"

"You're not mine in name, but you will be." Determination gave his voice a steely edge. "You're not marrying any Prince and you're not going to IX."

Hope that he what he said would come to pass kept her from pointing out that there was no guarantee of it happening. She kissed him instead, lingering in the embrace for a moment longer before breaking off and rolling away so she could get off the bed.

"Where do you think you're going?" Cain grumbled behind her.

She threw him a smile over her shoulder. "For food, obviously."

He rolled his eyes at her but followed her lead, getting to his feet and reaching for the gun he'd set on top of his duster on the floor by the bed. Putting it back in its holster, he joined her near the door and took her hand as he led her out where their friends and her adoring public waited.

*\*

To say the Western Guild had laid out a feast for her was no exaggeration. Buoyed by the sudden abundance of fresh food at their disposal, they presented a feast that was, well, fitting of royalty and insisted that DG and her travelling companions ate their fill.

Unlike Fordham, where the locals had treated her like one of them, the people of the Western Guild were more reverent in their approach, which made her more than a little uncomfortable though she tried not to let it show for fear of offending them.

Ishta and Shreya spent most of the first half of the evening with her, and she was just as happy to listen to the sister's conversation with one another as she was to take part in it. When they excused themselves to make the rounds with their people, DG allowed herself a small sigh.

"DG miss Az." Raw sat down beside her, mere seconds after Cain got up to speak to Jeb. If she was the suspicious type, she would've said they'd planned it so not to leave her on her own at all.

"I do." DG didn't try to deny it. "I just wish I knew if she was okay, Raw. She said she was fine with me leaving but I don't like to think of her being there alone."

"Azkadellia not alone," Raw assured her. "Has parents, Tutor."

"And that's good, but they don't know her like I do. They won't be able to tell when she's lying, when she's putting on an act so they don't worry about her." DG sighed and wrapped her arms around her middle. "Maybe you or Glitch should've stayed with her. At least then I'd know someone had her back."

"Parents will look after Azkadellia." Raw patted DG's hand. "DG sent letter. Azkadellia respond soon."

"I hope so, Raw," DG sighed, taking comfort in his presence and quiet confidence.

Her theory that her friends had planned for her to never be left unattended was given weight when Glitch immediately took Raw's vacated seat when the Viewer excused himself to continue the conversation he'd been having with Gem but had put on hold when he'd noticed Cain get up.

"Are you on some sort of rota?" DG teased, leaning in to Glitch when he slung his arm companionably across her shoulders. "Who's turn is it if Cain's not back when you're needed elsewhere?"

"Cain now, isn't it?" Glitch gave her a wicked grin. "I heard it was Wyatt earlier today, Doll."

She shrugged, ignoring the burn in her cheeks. "It's his name, isn't it?"

"Mmm hmm." Glitch smirked but said nothing more for a few moments.

They sat and people watched for a while, enjoying the company without needing the conversation. Raw and Gem were deep in conversation; Ishta had joined Cain, Jeb and Rafe; the rest of their group were dotted around the village, each in their assigned vantage point to make sure no one tried to hurt her when they weren't expecting it.

"Try not to worry, DG," Glitch said, squeezing her shoulders and tugging her closer. She let her head rest on his shoulder and sighed. "We'll work something out."

"We always do," she returned, lifting her head from his shoulder to smile at him. "So, Lord Ambrose, how do you think we're doing so far on this tour of ours? Do you think it's going to help Az when she takes the throne?"

"It's got to help," Glitch answered diplomatically. "The more people who understand what really happened, the better the chances Azkadellia will be accepted. You're doing great, DG. You're doing a good thing for your sister and the realm."

DG smiled at the praise, letting it settle some of her nerves. If her friends thought she was doing the right thing, doing a good thing, then it was enough for her to continue.

As Cain re-joined them, she expected Glitch to make his excuses and leave. When he didn't, Cain moved to sit on her other side and tugged her closer, throwing Glitch a glare over her head. "Get your own girl, Headcase."

Stifling a laugh that turned into a yawn with the back of her hand, DG shook her head. "Play nice, boys."

"He can't help it, Deege," Glitch mock-whispered. "He's a grumpy old Tin Man, you know."

"Less of the old," Cain grumbled. "I'm not much older than you."

"But you admit you're grumpy," Glitch retorted with a triumphant grin. When Cain merely quirked an eyebrow in reply, Glitch's grin grew. "So what's going on over there?"

DG followed his line of sight and saw Jeb in deep conversation with Ishta. Or in an argument, she couldn't be sure. There was a lot of gesturing and exasperated expressions, with each of them getting up in each other's personal space before backing off every so often.

"That looks interesting," DG agreed, tilting her head up to Cain. "Jeb's made a new friend."

Cain snorted. "Something like that. Ishta wants to come with us when we leave tomorrow. It's why he called me over, to see what I thought and to ask what you thought."

"That's definitely interesting," DG murmured. "Did she say why she wants to come?" She glanced back at the bickering pair and smiled again. "Jeb doesn't seem keen on the idea."

"I don't think he's over her getting the upper hand on us in the forest," Cain admitted. "There's a kind of my sword's bigger than yours battle going on."

Glitch made a noise at the back of his throat that could've been a laugh. "Looks like he's met his match. Not like that," he added when Cain glanced at him sharply. When the Tin Man looked away again, Glitch leaned into DG and dropped his voice. "Exactly like that."

DG returned her attention to the couple in question, watching as neither backed down from the debate. "I like her," she said after a moment. "But I don't understand why she wants to leave the Western Guild. It's safe here, her sister and father are here." She'd heard no mention of her mother, DG realised belatedly, and wondered why that was. "Did she give a reason?"

"She said she feels the Western Guild didn't do their part when the Witch was in power and she feels she can work towards making amends for that by joining the Royal Guard." Cain turned his gaze back to DG, the corners of his mouth twitching. "Specifically by joining your security detail. I think you have a fan, Princess."

DG rolled her eyes at the amusement on his face but didn't answer straight away. The last thing she needed was another guard, really, not when she already felt uncomfortable with the entourage she already had. But her tour was about building links with the people of the OZ, making alliances with those who could support her family's continued rule. The Western Guild were a much respected tribe despite their absence during the Sorceress's reign; to have their acceptance and their loyalty on display could only be seen as a good thing.

"I'm happy with her joining us, if it's truly what she wants," DG said after a long moment. "It would be good to have a representative of the Western Guild at Court."

Cain sighed. "That's if we make it back to Central City without them killin' each other."

DG followed his gaze again and saw both Jeb and Ishta had their hands on their respective weapons. Neither had drawn them but from the looks on their faces, it wasn't long before someone. "Why don't you put them out of their misery and tell them it's a done deal and Ishta is welcome to join us for the rest of our tour. If after completing it she decides she wants to stay, she's welcome to do so."

Since she didn't specify who should tell them, Cain and Glitch stared at one another. Cain arched an eyebrow and Glitch heaved a sigh, muttering under his breath about rusty old Tin Men getting lazy in their old age.

"You just can't help making friends with people, can you, Princess?" Cain murmured, wrapping his arm around her lower back to pull her more firmly against him. No one paid them any notice, speculation might have been rife amongst the Western Guild as to the relationship between the Princess and her Tin Man but the community who valued their own privacy respected the right everyone else had to it.

"It surprises me, too," DG told him. Her grin didn't quite meet her eyes and she leaned into him with a sigh. "I was always a bit of an outsider on the Other Side. Felt like I didn't belong and now I know why."

"Because you didn't." He pressed his lips against the crown of her head. "But you belong here."

"Here in the OZ? Sometimes. Not all the time," she admitted.

"When do you feel like you belong?"

She smiled again, tilting her head so she could see him. "When I'm with you," she said honestly. "Mostly with Az, too, but sometimes one of us will say something that makes the other remember we had fifteen annuals apart and it's like we're strangers again. It's usually me," she continued with the roll of her eyes. "Sometimes I'll say something that's triggering for her and she looks at me like I'm something out of her worst nightmares."

"I'm sure she doesn't mean to look at you that way." Cain's gaze softened in sympathy. "She wouldn't want to upset you."

"Oh, I know." DG shrugged and let her head fall back to his shoulder. "She was always protective of me. Overly so. If she wasn't..." Her voice trailed off and she sighed again. Cain waited for her to speak, knowing that she would, sensing there was something on her mind she needed to get off her chest. "I'd never thought about it until the Commander asked, about whether there was anyone else with us when it happened. Whether there should've been. When Glitch said that... I think I remember there was usually someone with us but my focus was always on Az. She was my big sister, my idol. I don't remember everything about my childhood but I remember I loved and admired her above anyone else, including our mother. How weird is that? My Mom was the Queen of the country but it was my sister I wanted to be like, my sister I wanted to impress. And then I ended up hurting her more than anyone else –"

"No, DG." Cain's arm tightened, almost painfully so. His body tensed, his voice grew firm. "You didn't hurt your sister. It wasn't you."

"It was, Wyatt." DG kept her voice soft, her gaze fixed ahead of her so she didn't get lost in her memories. "I hurt her because I let her go. If I'd held on... Maybe help would've got to us in time. Maybe the alarm could have been raised and our Mother could have stopped the Witch with our combined light before she could possess Az..."

"That's a lot of ifs and maybes, Deege. You can't live your life by them. Trust me," he added in a low voice, "I know all about that."

DG lifted her head from his shoulder again, her gaze soft. "You know you keep telling me I'm not to blame for what happened to Az. Maybe I'd be more inclined to believe it if you stopped blaming yourself for what happened to Adora, and to Jeb." She shook her head when he started to protest. "You don't get it, Wyatt. I'm as much to blame for what happened to them as I am for what happened to Az. You can't blame yourself if you don't blame me."

He stared at her for a long moment before lifting a hand to touch her cheek. "I don't blame you, DG. I could never do that."

She leaned into his palm and smiled sadly. "Then you need to stop blaming yourself. I'm surely just as much to blame as you are. We make quite a pair, Wyatt Cain."

His gaze was intense as it locked with hers. She saw the conflict in his eyes, his belief that he was responsible for the death of his late wife warring with his belief that she couldn't be held accountable for her actions as a child. When his eyes softened, she gave him another sad smile. "Maybe that's what makes us so perfect for each other," he murmured, his voice hoarse. He closed the gap between them, his lips brushing against hers sweetly, chastely given they were still sitting in view of everyone. "You make me want to believe in myself again. I didn't think that was possible."

Warmth swelled in her at his words, equally the sudden need she felt to protect this man who'd been broken and bruised at all costs. "If only you had half as much belief in yourself as I do in you."

His eyes darkened and he leaned in to kiss her again. It was a slow kiss, full of promise. When they parted, they leaned into each other, foreheads resting, sharing a breath.

The words went unsaid but were very much felt in that moment.

'I love you.'

Only someone approaching them, clearing their voice broke the moment. Jeb tried not to look at them, running an awkward hand through his hair.

"Ishta would like you to know she's honoured that you've agreed for her to join us," he said stiffly. "She'll be ready to leave at first light, as will the rest of us, Your Highness."

DG was at first taken back by his formality. Cain looked annoyed by it, but relaxed when he saw DG smile. "Thank you, Captain. I appreciate you welcoming the newest member of our troupe."

Jeb grimaced, his façade falling. "Do we have to take her with us?" He sounded like a sullen child and it wouldn't have surprised her at all if he'd stomped his foot. Beside her, Cain tried to hide a chuckle behind a cough. "She's stubborn and pig-headed, and thinks she's right about everything."

"She's also a highly respected, highly skilled soldier and representative of the Western Guild," DG reminded him. "I'm sure you've had worse under your command, Jeb. You just have to put up with her until we get back to Central City. I'm sure a seasoned soldier and such a highly regarded Captain in the Queen's Guard won't have a problem with that."

Jeb grumbled something under his breath and stalked away. His cheeks were flushed but she couldn't be sure if it was from the praise she'd given him or the thought of having to deal with Ishta for a number of weeks.

"This is going to be fun," she grinned, glancing at Cain to see him smirking. "But Jeb's going to make me pay for that, isn't he?"

"I'm not getting involved, Deege." Her Tin Man continued to smirk at her, his blue eyes sparkling. "But you're right. It is gonna be fun."

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